mystery play

American

noun

a medieval dramatic form based on a Biblical story, usually dealing with the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

mystery play British

noun

(in the Middle Ages) a type of drama based on the life of Christ Compare miracle play

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mystery play

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But right on the money, somehow, is a medieval mystery play accompanied by a motley assembly of early-form lutes, flutes and bagpipes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2016

The town of Langley, on Whidbey Island, celebrates its centennial with a townwide, two-day interactive and improvisational mystery play.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2013

For "Democracy" is ultimately a mystery play, in which the central enigma is human identity itself - a puzzle that only expands and deepens when set upon a world stage.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2012

In its own way, it's a great medieval mystery play.

From The Guardian • Aug. 15, 2011

A mystery play was enacted in him,—each sonnet is a scene.

From Emerson and Other Essays by Chapman, John Jay

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023